Weddings are one of the most popular celebrations and one of the best times to truly enjoy yourself and have a great time! So as the bride and groom, there is a level of responsibility that you have to pick good music! [Of course, if the song(s) means alot to you but not to many others, that’s okay too!] But what do you choose?

Well, as for your wedding ceremony, that’s usually limited to what is acceptable in the ceremony location. It’s common to have the wedding ceremony in a house of religion, so there are various rules that must be followed so go over these with your officiant. However, if you’re having your ceremony at a garden or other non-religious location, really, the sky is the limit for you! Usually, instrumental music will begin about 30 minutes prior to the processional (aka wedding march). The type of instrumental music, for your non-religious ceremony location, is really up to you. Often, it’s a soothing, relaxing type of piece. Once the mother of the bride is seated the processional begins (where everyone glides down the aisle in everyone’s amazement) and is usually some version of Wagner’s “Wedding March”. Of course, it doesn’t have to be a classical piece, just as long as the song has a steady beat that everyone can walk to. After all the “I do’s”, go for something upbeat and party-like! At this point, pretty much anything goes!

Now, your wedding reception, if you’ll be having a cocktail hour beforehand, common choices are jazz trios, strolling musicians or a string quartet, something along those lines, not too loud or disruptive to allow guests to mingle.

For the actual wedding reception, the most common choice is a DJ, able to cover varying styles of music and, if accompanied by an MC, can rile up your wedding guests into a dancing frenzy, that is only if that’s what you want! A DJ/MC option is usually a crowd-pleaser and usually less expensive than professional musicians with instruments, who also have their own charm when it comes to wedding receptions. Other options include hiring a band to do cover songs, ethnic musicians, and even professional dance instructors to teach your guests some ballroom dancing! The wedding reception is an anything-goes type of party where, however you and your new husband/wife can party to your hearts’ content!

Home is where the heart is and what better familiar place than your own home as host to a beautiful day such as a wedding! There’s a great deal of versatility when it comes to hosting your wedding at home. While most aspects depend on the size of your home, everything is flexible here. And the best part, your wedding can be as formal or informal as you want it without feeling slightly under or over dressed in a reception hall.

What you do have to look out for is the planning process. With the ceremony, you would need to rent chairs and you would probably work with a florist when it comes to decor. Since most of the reception items will have to be rented (unless you also own a rental company!), you must plan this ahead of time because, in a way, you are your own caterer! [And cooking for your own wedding reception? That’s another article all together!] Plan on renting chairs, tables, glasses, utensils, dishes, and the like.

When you first start to plan your at home wedding, consider the various locations within your home. Where will your food be set up? Where will you cut the cake? The easiest flow for your wedding at home is to have it both indoors and outdoors, especially if you will be having your wedding ceremony in early- to mid-afternoon. Or if you and your groom are really lovers of the outdoors, you can rent a tent like above so you can keep the festivities going on outside all day and night. [Some rental companies also offer clear tent covers so you can watch the stars!]

Other questions to ask yourself are:

• Will you have to hire people to serve the food?
• Will there be a band and dancing?
• Do you have enough room for parking?

Even though there are alot of things to consider, having your wedding at home is a big money-saving idea. This is especially great for newlyweds who have just bought a new home together before the wedding, of course, well enough before so they can be accustomed to it. Or if there is an “ancestral” home so to speak, this can really bring out family traditions. Consider this option and plan ahead!

To invite or not to invite? These little wedding guests can really go either way when it comes to attending your wedding. They can add a joyful, playful, carefree spunk or they can be somewhat difficult and disruptive.

So how do you decide whether to invite children to your wedding? Some wedding planners say it depends on the style of your wedding. For semiformal or informal, afternoon affairs, children would be a great addition while formal late afternoon or evening weddings can be a bit much for children to handle. But what happens when the wedding is considered a family affair? A family that includes many children? Some options to consider:

Read “Those Darling Little Wedding Guests”